Woodford County star Jasper Johnson offered by Kentucky

“It would really mean a lot to me. I grew up 15 minutes away from Rupp Arena, right down the street. I’ve been watching them since I was a little kid. I know they breed a lot of great guards in the NBA, so it’d be a big accomplishment if they do that.”

That’s what 2025 five-star guard and Woodford County standout Jasper Johnson said of a potential offer from his hometown Kentucky Wildcats to open the Nike EYBL season this spring and what it would mean. Two weeks later, John Calipari brought the Versailles native to Lexington to extend a scholarship offer in person.

“Blessed to receive a Division I offer from the University of Kentucky,” Johnson announced Friday afternoon.

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Kentucky joins the likes of Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Missouri, Ohio State, Texas A&M, West Virginia and Xavier, among others, to extend an offer to the 6-foot-4 guard.

Known for playing with patience and poise, Johnson is rated as the No. 21 overall prospect and No. 2 point guard overall in the On3 Player Rankings. He models his game after NBA All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell, a friend and mentor.

“What separates my game? Definitely my IQ,” he told KSR. “Just me knowing, being a step ahead of the defender, the defense, you know? Controlling the game, that’s what I’m really good at.”

Johnson’s father, Dennis Johnson, was a star football player at the University of Kentucky. As a Wildcat, he led the SEC in tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles in 2001 before declaring for the NFL Draft, selected in the third round.

Now like his dad, he’ll have the chance to play at Kentucky, this time on the hardwood.